MM – Music Education
Rebecca C. Friesen, has been a music educator since 1993. She has been with the Kirkwood School District since 2005. Her role within the band program includes teaching beginning clarinet, collaboration within the middle school programs, direction of the Kirkwood High Pioneer Pride School Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band as well Kirkwood High School Woodwind Chamber Ensemble, which she founded in 2005 and brought to perform at MMEA in 2018.
Mrs. Friesen began her career in the Washington School District followed by the Fort Zumwalt School District and was a member of adjunct faculty at St. Louis Community College – Meramec before joining the Kirkwood band staff.
She earned a Bachelors of Music Education from Missouri State University in 1992 and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in 1998.
Professional associations include Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Kappa Lambda, Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters, Women Band Directors International and Phi Beta Mu
She has guest conducted at Webster University and St Louis Community College – Meramec and is currently serving as Band Vice President for St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association.
Mrs. Friesen lives in Kirkwood with her husband Scott. Her son Andrew is the director of bands in Charleston, Missouri. Her daughter Audrey is studying abroad at Bath Spa University in Bath, England.
“Every song was as good or better than they ever played, and the emotional expression was incredible. Green Bushes was as good or better than I have ever heard anyone play it (including my groups!) The program for this concert was a real work of art!” Gary Gackstatter, composer, artist, educator, conductor.
She is passionate about conducting, beginning clarinet pedagogy, chamber music integration in the middle and high school band program and teaching life skills and a lifelong love of music through music education.
“So very impressed with the success and direction of the (Kirkwood band) program.” Tom Poshak, Retired Director of Bands Kirkwood School District
